POLAND Meeting addresses sewer system woes

Residents say they will start circulating petitions. By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR. VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER POLAND -- Several township residents faced with flooding, overflowing septic tanks and potential costly solutions to the problems met with township and county officials in an effort to find an answer. About 25 people living in the Spitler Road area sat down Monday with Trustee Mark Naples, John Warino of the Mahoning County Sanitary Engineer's Office and Attorney Donald Duda of Mahoning County Prosecutor's Office to discuss possible ways to install a gravity flow sewer system on the road and get rid of septic tanks they say are overflowing from runoff. The meeting was the third this year to address the problem. Residents also were expecting a representative from the Mahoning County Board of Health, who did not make it to the meeting. Cause: The residents say the problem is being caused by a nearby housing development built some 25 years ago without a proper retention pond. "We have been there forever; now we have to suffer because of all the new developments," said Spitler Road resident Charles Craig. The county board of health has deemed two septic systems insufficient and has ordered the homeowners to tie into the county's sewer system. Peggy Moore and Craig got the letters in April, telling them they have 180 days to get the work done. Other Spitler Road residents say their septic tanks are working fine, but they fear being forced to tie into the county's main sewer line because of the cost. Warino said the project is estimated at $172,000 for the gravity line. The total cost would be divided among the homes that would be required to use the system. The cost per home is about $59 per square foot of property, plus a $2,800 tie in fee. Warino, however, said the project may qualify for a state Issue 2 loan under which each homeowner can pay a share of the cost over a 20-year period. He said the county would need to present a good case as to why the project is needed. All factors considered, he said, the probability of getting a loan is high. Petition: Warino said the first step is to get the ball rolling with a petition from residents stating they want the line. Duda is checking to see how many residents would need to sign the petition. The paperwork will not be finished before the September deadline for Moore and Craig to tie into the system with a grinder pump. Naples and Duda said officials will work toward an extension for those two homeowners. "All we are trying to do is come up with a solution that will satisfy everybody," said Naples. "What I need is for the residents to say they want this so we can move forward. I don't want to see you guys spend $9,000 on a new [grinder] system then we get a loan and put in a different [gravity] system." jgoodwin@vindy.com